Introdução: Considerando o rápido aumento da população de idosos e da sua expectativa de vida, junto com a expansão das intervenções de caminhada nórdica (NW) como método de treinamento para idosos, há uma necessidade de estudos de base experimental (ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados, ECRs) de caráter preventivo e de boa qualidade metodológica que permitam aos profissionais da educação física, da saúde e da reabilitação a tomada de decisões relativas ao tipo, volume, intensidade de exercício da NW na promoção da saúde dos idosos sedentários. Objetivos: o presente estudo teve como objetivos (estudo A) determinar, por meio de revisão sistemática de ensaios clínicos randomizados, se o treinamento sistematizado com NW, comparado à caminhada livre (CL), produz efeitos benéficos sobre componentes da aptidão funcional de idosos sedentários saudáveis, também avaliar (estudo B) os efeitos de oito semanas de treinamento de NW e CL na qualidade de vida (QV), no equilíbrio estático, na variabilidade dinâmica, na velocidade autosselecionada de caminhada (VAS) em esteira e no índice de reabilitação locomotor (IRL) de idosos sedentários, e também avaliar (estudo C) os efeitos de oito semanas de treinamento de NW e CL no trabalho mecânico (externo- Wext, trabalho mecânico interno- Wint, no trabalho mecânico total – Wtot), no mecanismo pendular (R), no Custo de transporte (C), na frequência cardíaca de exercício (FCexercício), na sensação subjetiva de esforço (RPE), e nos parâmetros eletromiográficos (amplitude média do sinal e co-contração) dos músculos: deltoides anterior (DA), tríceps braquial (TB), vasto lateral (VL), bíceps femoral (BF), tibial anterior (TA) e gastrocnêmio medial (GM) de idosos sedentários. Desenho Experimental: ECR. Local da Pesquisa: Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Dança (ESEFID) da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Métodos: Participaram deste estudo 32 idosos sedentários randomizados em dois grupos (grupo NW), n=16, idade: 64,6±4,1 anos, massa: 81,5±10,7kg e estatura: 166,3±7,5cm; e o grupo CL, n=16, idade: 68,6±3,9 anos, massa: 74,6±14,5kg e estatura: 161,6±10,3cm), realizaram treinamento de NW e CL durante 8 semanas. Desfechos do estudo A: foram avaliadaos com um estudo de revisão sistemática parâmetros da aptidão funcional de idosos (força e resistência dos membros superiores, força e resistência dos membros inferiores, mobilidade, flexibilidade dos músculos da coluna lombar e da região posterior da coxa, amplitude geral da articulação do ombro, resistência aeróbia e velocidade autosselecionada). Desfechos do estudo B: foram avaliados utilizando questionário de qualidade de vida, testes de equilibrio em plataforma de força e coleta cinemática 3D durante caminhada em esteira rolante para determinação dos Parâmetros funcionais (qualidade de vida, equilíbrio estático e dinâmico, velocidade autosselecionada de caminhada e índice de reabilitação locomotor). Desfechos do estudo C: foram avaliados através coletas de dados espirométricos, cinemáticos 3D e eletromiográficos da caminhada em esteira rolante em diferentes velocidades os parâmetros mecânicos e do mecanismo pendular (trabalho mecânico externo, interno e total- Wext, Wint, Wtot, Recovery -R, Custo de transporte -C, Velocidade autosselecionada -VAS), parâmetros eletromiográficos (amplitude média do sinal e co-contração dos músculos DA, TB, VL, BF, TA e GM), frequência cardíaca de exercício – FCexercício, e sensação subjetiva de esforço - RPE, de idosos sedentários,. Análise Estatística: Os dados de descrição da amostra, no baseline, foram comparados aplicando-se ANOVA one-way. Os desfechos foram analisados utilizando as Equações de Estimativas Generalizadas (GEE), para a comparação entre os grupos (NW e CL) e os momentos (pré e pós treino). Utilizou-se um post-hoc de Bonferroni, para identificar as diferenças entre os efeitos e interações. Os dados foram apresentados em “model-based adjusted means”, e foram analisados com o software Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.22.0. Adotou-se um nível de significância de α=0,05. Conclusão: os treinamentos de NW e de CL, promovem melhoras nos componentes da aptidão funcional; no equilíbrio estático e na variabilidade dinâmica de idosos. Contudo algumas diferenças entre as duas intervenções se relacionam ao princípio da especificidade do treinamento e ocorrem apenas nos componentes que receberam mais estímulos impostos pela técnica da caminhada com bastões, especialmente nos membros superiores. Ainda, o incremento da VAS na esteira aliada à utilização do IRL, nos permitem concluir que o treinamento de NW tem relevância clínica e é recomendado como meio de melhora do condicionamento físico e como método de reabilitação de idosos sedentários. Esta atividade física proporciona adaptações centrais com melhora significativa na mobilidade funcional de idosos. Deste modo, após treinamento de resistência aeróbica com e sem bastões os idosos aumentam a velocidade de locomoção nas atividades diárias e com menor custo metabólico devido às adaptações centrais e melhora do mecanismo pendular devido à maior proximidade da VAS à velocidade ótima de caminhada. Ainda há adaptações importantes na ativação muscular decorrentes do treinamento de NW em idosos indicando uma redução dos níveis de co-contração de membros superiores na caminhada sem bastões, à qual repercute diretamente na melhora da aptidão física, na independência funcional dos idosos. Além disso, recomendamos à NW como uma atividade física segura e efetiva para esta população quando a periodização do treinamento são realizados com o volume e intensidade estritamente controlados. / Introduction: Considering the rapid increase in the elderly population and their life expectancy, together with the expansion of Nordic walking (NW) interventions as a training method for the elderly, there is a need for experimental studies (randomized controlled trials, ECRs) of preventive character and of good methodological quality that allow the professionals of physical education, health and rehabilitation to make decisions regarding the type, volume and intensity of NW exercise in the health promotion of sedentary elderly. Objectives: This study aimed (study A) to determine, through a systematic review of randomized clinical trials, whether systematic training with NW, compared to free walking (FW), has beneficial effects on components of the functional capacity of sedentary elderly, also (study B) avaluate the effects of eight weeks of NW and FW training on quality of life (QoL), static balance, dynamic variability, self-selected walking speed on treadmill (SSWS) and Locomotor rehabilitation index (LRI) of sedentary elderly, and also evaluate (study C) the effects of eight weeks of NW and FW training on mechanical work (external, internal and total mechanical work -Wext,Wint, Wtot), pendular mechanism (R), Cost of (C), exercise heart rate (HRexercise), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and electromyographic parameters (mean signal amplitude and co-contraction) of muscles: Anterior Deltoid (AD), Triceps Brachii (TB), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Femoral Biceps (BF), Anterior Tibialis (TA) and Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) of sedentary elderly. Experimental Design: Controlled Clinical Trial (ECR). Research Location: School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance (ESEFID), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Methods: The sample comprised 33 sedentary participants randomly divided into two groups (NW group, n =16, age: 64.6 ± 4.1 years old, weight: 81.5 ± 10.7 kg and height: 166.3 ± 7.5 cm; and FW group, n =16, age: 68.6 ± 3.9 years, mass: 74.6 ± 14.5 kg and height: 161.6 ± 10.3 cm), performed NW and FW training for 8 weeks. Outcomes of Study A: Parameters of functional fitness of the elderly (upper limb strength and endurance, lower limb strength and endurance, mobility, lumbar spine and posterior hip muscle flexibility, general amplitude of the shoulder joint, aerobic endurance and self-selected speed). Outcomes of study B: Functional parameters (QoL, static and dynamic balance, SSWS and LRI).Outcomes of Study C: Mechanical parameters and pendular mechanism (Wext, Wint, Wtot, R, C, SSS), electromyographic parameters (mean signal amplitude and Co-contraction of AD, TB, VL, BF, AT and MG muscles), HRexercise RPE of sedentary elderly. Statistics Analysis: Sample description data, at baseline, were compared by applying one-way ANOVA. The outcomes were analyzed using Generalized Estimates (GEE), to compare the groups (NW and CL) and the moments (pre and post training). A Bonferroni post-hoc was used to identify the differences between effects and interactions. The data were presented in model-based adjusted means, and were analyzed with the software Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) v.22.0. A significance level of α = 0.05 was adopted. Conclusion: NW and FW training, promotes improvements in functional fitness components; in the static balance and in the dynamic variability of the elderly. However, some differences between the two interventions are related to the principle of training specificity and occur only in the components that received the most stimuli imposed by the walking technique with poles, especially in the upper limbs. Furthermore, the increase in SSWS on the treadmill combined with the use of LRI allows us to conclude that NW training has clinical relevance and is recommended as a means of improving physical conditioning and as a method of rehabilitation of sedentary elderly. This physical activity provides central adaptations with significant improvement in the functional mobility of the elderly. Thus, after aerobic resistance training with and without poles, the elderly increase the speed of locomotion in daily activities and with lower metabolic cost due to the central adaptations and improvement of the pendulum mechanism due to the greater proximity of the SSWS to the optimal speed of walking. There are still important adaptations in muscle activation resulting from NW training in the elderly indicating a reduction in the levels of co-contraction of upper limbs in walking without walking poles, which directly affects the improvement of physical fitness and functional independence of the elderly. In addition, we recommend NW as a safe and effective physical activity for this population when the periodization of training is performed with the volume and intensity strictly controlled.

Diversas populações de Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) têm mostrado resistência a muitos inseticidas químicos, empregados no controle desse vetor de arboviroses como dengue, chikungunya, Zika e febre amarela urbana. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar quantitativamente a atividade locomotora de cinco populações de Ae. aegypti do Estado de São Paulo, com diferentes perfis de resistências a inseticidas, sendo Campinas e Marília suscetíveis, Santos, Ribeirão Preto e Barretos resistentes e uma linhagem controle Rockefeller. Além disso, foram feitas comparações entre as populações testadas e verificado se populações com perfis de resistência a inseticidas não aumentaram a atividade locomotora. A atividade locomotora das populações foi avaliada e aquelas classificadas como resistentes, mostraram um aumento da atividade locomotora em relação ao grupo controle, exceto a população de Barretos em relação a Rockefeller de 2016 (KW; p = 0,05). As populações suscetíveis de Campinas e Marília, diferentemente de 2016, apresentaram um padrão de atividade locomotora semelhante ao da população resistente de Santos, em 2017 (Dunn; z = 1,46; p = 0,11 | z = 0,33; p = 0,71). Desta forma, populações de Ae. aegypti do Estado de São Paulo, com resistência a inseticida, mostraram um aumento na atividade locomotora, e experimentos realizados em diferentes anos mostraram uma mudança no perfil populacional de Campinas e Marília quanto à resistência a inseticida, de acordo com a atividade locomotora avaliada. / Several populations of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) have shown resistance to many chemical insecticides, which are used to control this vector of arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika and urban yellow fever. The present study had as objective to quantitatively evaluate the locomotor activity of five populations of Ae. aegypti of the State of São Paulo, with different insecticide resistance profiles, being Campinas and Marília as susceptible, Santos, Ribeirão Preto and Barretos as resistant and Rockefeller control strain. In addition, comparisons were made between the populations tested, and it was verified that populations with profiles of insecticide resistance did not increase locomotor activity. The locomotor activity of the populations was evaluated and those classified as resistant showed an increase in locomotor activity in relation to the control group, except the population of Barretos in relation to Rockefeller of 2016 (KW; p = 0.05). Populations susceptible to Campinas and Marília, differently from 2016, showed a pattern of locomotor activity similar to Santos resistant population in 2017 (Dunn; z = 1,46, p = 0,11 | z = 0,33, p = 0.71). This way, populations of Ae. aegypti from the State of São Paulo, with resistance to insecticide, showed an increase in locomotor activity, and experiments carried out in different years showed a change in the population profile of Campinas and Marília regarding insecticide resistance, according to the locomotor activity evaluated.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O uso combinado de etanol e bebidas energéticas tem aumentado entre adolescentes. Além disso, estudos epidemiológicos indicam que o co-uso aumenta a probabilidade de consumo abusivo e dependência de etanol. Apesar disso, pouco se sabe sobre as consequências neurocomportamentais da co-exposição no cérebro adolescente. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o curso temporal dos efeitos agudos da exposição à bebida energética e/ou etanol na atividade motora e ansiedade no teste de campo aberto, como também, os efeitos agudos ou prolongados sobre aprendizagem/memória e coordenação motora em camundongos adolescentes. Camundongos Suíços foram divididos em 4 grupos: bebidas energéticas e etanol, bebida energética, etanol e água. Três estudos separados foram conduzidos para avaliar cada um dos objetivos específicos deste trabalho. No primeiro estudo, realizado em PN40, os animais receberam a administração de bebida energética (8 ml/kg) e/ou etanol (4 g/kg) por gavagem e após 55 minutos foram submetidos ao teste do campo aberto (sessão 1). Outras duas sessões foram realizadas em sequência usando a metade da dose inicial (sessão 2 e 3). Nos estudos 2 e 3, estudamos os efeitos agudos (PN40) e crônicos (exposição de PN30-40) sobre o teste de esquiva passiva (0,3 mA, 3 s) e sobre o desempenho no teste do cilíndro giratório (sessão de treinamento e após 1 e 3 horas da gavagem das drogas). Em ambos os casos, a dose de bebida energética (8 ml/kg) e/ou etanol (4 g/kg) foi administrada. No teste da esquiva passiva, as sessões de treino e retenção foram realizadas 1 e 24 horas após a administração da droga, respectivamente. No teste do Rotarod, cada sessão foi constituída por 5 tentativas em modelo de aceleramento contínuo (4 a 40 rpm/min em uma tentativa de 2 min). Os nossos dados indicam que a exposição concomitante a bebida energética potencializa o efeito de hiperatividade induzido pelo etanol, como também, gera uma resposta ansiogênica no teste do campo aberto. A exposição aguda ao etanol induz déficit de memória/aprendizagem que não é revertida pela BE. A co-exposição aguda a bebida energética e etanol prolongou incoordenação motora induzida pelo etanol. No entanto, a bebda energética reverteu o comprometimento da coordenação motora gerada pela exposição crônica de etanol em camundongos fêmeas. O presente estudo fornece evidência experimental de que bebida energética e etanol interagem durante a adolescência, resultando em padrões de comportamento que poderiam aumentar o risco de desenvolvimento de abuso ou dependência de etanol. Além disso, os dados indicaram que a exposição aguda à bebida energética não atenuou as consequências negativas geradas pela etanol no desempenho do motor e cognitivo. / The combined use of ethanol and energy drinks has increased among adolescents. Furthermore, epidemiological studies indicate that the co-use increases the likelihood of abuse and ethanol dependence. Nevertheless, little is known about the neurobehavioral effects of co-exposure in adolescent brain. This study aims to evaluate the time course of the acute effects of exposure to energy drink and / or ethanol in motor activity and anxiety in the open field test, but also acute or prolonged effects on learning/memory and motor coordination in mice teens. Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups: ethanol and energy drinks, energy drinks, ethanol and water. Three separate studies were conducted to evaluate each of the specific objectives of this work. In the first study, conducted in PN40, animals received the energy drink administration (8 ml/kg) and / or ethanol (4 g/kg) by gavage and after 55 minutes were subjected to the open field test (session 1). Other two sessions were conducted in sequence using half of the initial dose (session 2 and 3). In trials 2 and 3, we studied the acute effects (PN40) and chronic (exposure PN30-40) on the passive avoidance test (0.3 mA, 3s) and the test performance of the rotary cylinder (training session and 1 and 3 hours after the gavage of drugs). In both cases, the dose of energy drink (8 ml/kg) and / or ethanol (4 g/kg) was administered. In the test of passive avoidance training sessions and the retention were made 1 and 24 hours after drug administration, respectively. In the Rotarod test, each session consisted of 5 trials continuous acceleration model (4 to 40 rpm / min in an attempt to 2 min). Our data indicate that the concurrent exposure to energy drink enhances the effect hyperactivity induced by ethanol, as also, it generates an anxiogenic response in the Open Field test. Acute ethanol exposure induces memory/learning deficits that is not reversed by BE. Acute co-exposure to energy drink and ethanol prolonged incoordination induced by ethanol. However, energy drink reversed the impairment of motor coordination generated by chronic exposure of ethanol in female mice. This study provides experimental evidence that energy drink and ethanol interact during adolescence, resulting in behavioral patterns that could increase the risk of abuse or dependence on ethanol. In addition, the data indicated that acute exposure to energy drink did not attenuate the negative consequences generated by ethanol in motor performance and cognitive.

En el ámbito del rendimiento deportivo, diferentes estudios han tratado de definir un perfil ideal del deportista en cada disciplina, para determinar aquellas características físicas, técnico-tácticas y psicológicas que se relacionan con mejores resultados. Sin embargo, un alto volumen de entrenamiento con acciones articulares repetitivas, pueden generar adaptaciones en el sistema músculo-esquelético y de forma específica la columna vertebral. Una disposición raquídea inadecuada genera una modificación de la distribución de la carga entre el cuerpo vertebral, el disco intervertebral y las articulaciones apofisarias, entre el núcleo pulposo y el anillo fibroso, aumentando el estrés de tensión en los ligamentos intervertebrales y por ende el riesgo de lesiones, especialmente en deportistas jóvenes. Dentro de los deportes con mayor influencia negativa sobre el morfotipo raquídeo se encuentran aquellos que requieren una hiperflexión e hiperextensión lumbar forzada para optimizar su rendimiento competitivo como son las especialidades de gimnasia artística, gimnasia rítmica deportiva (GRD) y más recientemente gimnasia estética de grupo (GEG). Por ello, el objetivo general de esta Tesis Doctoral fue comparar las adaptaciones que se han producido sobre el morfotipo raquídeo de gimnastas experimentadas en la especialidad de GRD, y compararlas con las especialistas en GRD y con un grupo control (GC). La muestra se conformó por un total de 255 sujetos divididos en tres grupos: i) 94 mujeres especialistas de GEG seleccionadas aleatoriamente de clubes de competición de Estonia y Finlandia; ii) 82 gimnastas especialistas de GRD seleccionadas aleatoriamente de clubes de competición españoles; iii) 79 niñas de GC que no realizaban actividad física extraescolar. Estos tres grupos se dividieron a su vez en tres segmentos de edad: a) menores de 11 años, b) entre 11 y 15 años, y c) 15 años o más. Empleando técnicas de intervención estandarizadas se estudiaron las curvaturas en el plano sagital del raquis tanto en bipedestación como en sedentación (disposición estática), en flexión máxima del tronco (disposición dinámica), la movilidad raquídea y la extensibilidad de la musculatura isquiosural. Los resultados indican que: i) la cifosis dorsal en bipedestación del Grupo GEG se encuentra dentro de la normalidad, aunque en sedentación asténica y en flexión máxima del tronco se han registrado valores de hipercifosis por encima de la normalidad; ii) la lordosis lumbar en bipedestación se encuentra dentro del rango de normalidad, con valores inferiores a los del grupo de GRD y el grupo control, pero al sentarse en postura asténica y en flexión máxima, ambos grupos de gimnastas disponen su región lumbar con mayores curvas cifóticas que las del grupo control; iii) ambos grupos de gimnastas poseen amplios rangos de extensibilidad isquiosural, con elevados porcentajes de normalidad; iv) no se ha encontrado una asociación entre el volumen de entrenamiento y el morfotipo raquídeo sagital, ya sea para la curva dorsal o lumbar, en ninguna de las tres posiciones analizadas, pero sí una correlación positiva entre el volumen de entrenamiento y los valores de flexibilidad y movilidad raquídea. La GEG incide positivamente sobre el raquis dorsal de las gimnastas. El trabajo de esquema corporal con raquis alineado que se exige en GEG, afirma el beneficio que esta actividad educativa puede aportar sobre la prevención de las alteraciones de la zona dorsal durante el crecimiento. La correcta disposición lumbar en bipedestación encontrada en GEG en comparación con las gimnastas de GRD puede ser debida a las diferencias en el entrenamiento y la prohibición por parte del código de Gimnasia Estética de Grupo de las dificultades con hiperextensión del tronco. Los peores resultados obtenidos en las posiciones de sedentación asténica y flexión máxima demuestran que ambas modalidades de gimnasia no presentan una transferencia positiva hacia la correcta actitud postural. / In the field of sports performance, several studies have attempted to detail the optimal athlete profile in each sport in order to determine those physical, psychological and technical-tactics characteristics that are related with better competitive results. However, a high training volume with repetitive joint actions can generate adaptations in the musculoskeletal system and specifically on the spine. A spinal improper position generates a modification of the load distribution between the vertebral body, the intervertebral disk and the apophyseal joints between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus, increasing the tensile stress in the intervertebral ligaments, and therefore the risk of injuries, especially in young athletes. Among the sports with the greatest negative influence on the spinal morphotype are those that require lumbar hyperflexion and hyperextension to optimize their competitive performance such as artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics (RG) and more recently aesthetic group gymnastics (AGG). Therefore, the main aim of this Doctoral Thesis was to compare the spinal morphotype adaptations that have occurred on experienced gymnasts of AGG, and to compare them with specialists of RGG and a control group (CG). The sample comprises a total of 255 subjects divided into three groups: i) 94 female AAG specialists randomly selected in an Estonia and Finland club competition; ii) 82 female RG specialists randomly selected in an Spanish club competition; and iii) 79 female CG who did not perform any extracurricular physical activity. These three groups were divided into three age segments: a) under 11 y/o, b) between 11 and 15 y/o, c) 15 y/o or more. Using standardized techniques, it was studied the spine curvatures in the sagittal plane of both standing and seated (static position), at maximum trunk flexion (dynamic position), spinal mobility and the hamstring extensibility. The results indicate that: i) the dorsal kyphosis in standing of the AGG was within the normal range, although in seated positions and trunk flexion it was detected hyperkyphosis values above the normality; the AGG lumbar lordosis in standing position is within the normal range, showing lower values than RG and CG, but in seated and maximum trunk flexion positions the both groups of gymnasts have their lumbar region with higher kyphotic curves than the control group, iii) both groups of gymnasts have wide ranges of hamstring muscle extensibility, with high percentages of normality; iv) It has not be found an association between training volume and sagittal spinal morphotype, either dorsal or lumbar curve in any of the three positions analyzed, but it has been detected a positive correlation between training volume and values spinal flexibility and mobility. The AGG have positive effects on the gymnasts´ dorsal spine. The work of body map with spine aligned that is required in AGG confirms the benefit that this educational activity can bring about preventing alterations of the dorsal spine during growth. The better lumbar standing alignment found in the AGG compared to RG may be due to differences in training interventions and the Aesthetic Group Gymnastics code prohibition of the difficulties with hyperextension of the trunk. The worst results found for seated and maximal trunk flexion positions demonstrate that both forms of gymnastics not show a positive transfer to correct postural attitude.

La pràctica esportiva de l’handbol pot tenir com a conseqüència directa l’escurçament de la musculatura isquiosural. Aquest efecte, de retruc, pot afectar a l’estructura osteo-muscular de la zona lumbo-pelviana del jugador esdevenint un factor de risc de diferents situacions patològiques: l’encunyament anterior dels cossos vertebrals, l’espondilòlisi, l’espondilolistesi, hèrnies discals lumbars i l’aparició del dolor. Un possible tractament preventiu d’aquest problema pot ser l’aplicació d’un programa de flexibilització isquiosural diari durant l’escalfament i en l’etapa final de l’entrenament que aconsegueixi normalitzar la regió lumbo-pelviana. És per això que es planteja el disseny d’un programa d’estiraments adaptat a l’handbol, basat en la tècnica d’estirament actiu en tensió activa en l’escalfament i d’Stretching en la tornada a la calma. Pel disseny d’aquest programa de treball s’ha realitzat una revisió bibliogràfica sobre l’aplicació de diferents programes de flexibilització en el món de l’esport per, a posteriori, consultar a un comitè d’experts mitjançant el mètode Delphi per fer-ne la ser seva avaluació. Aquest programa s’aplicà durant la temporada 2013-14 en l’equip juvenil de tecnificació del Futbol Club Barcelona (12 jugadors), al que s’han afegit 6 jugadors més de la mateixa categoria. El disseny de l’estudi, basat en un assaig clínic aleatori, es va estructurar en tres grups: un grup d’aplicació del programa de flexibilització proposat; format per 6 individus amb tecnificació (grup MT) i 6 individus que el complementaven de la mateixa categoria (grup T), i un grup control; format per 6 individus del programa de tecnificació (grup C), sense aplicació del programa de flexibilització. Es van avaluar: variables antropomètriques, d’exploració de la flexibilitat de la musculatura isquiosural, de mobilitat del tronc, discapacitat física, presència de dolor lumbar, paràmetres radiològics i electromiogràfics per determinar l’efecte de l’aplicació del programa d’estiraments sobre la regió lumbo-pelviana. Es van mesurar les diferències entre els tres grups mitjançant l’increment de les mitjanes de les variables estudiades amb la prova d’U de Mann-Whitney i, per avaluar la magnitud de l’efecte, calculant la δ de Cohen. Després de 6 mesos d’intervenció s’ha pogut observar una tendència cap a una millora, encara que no estadísticament significativa, de la majoria dels paràmetres relacionats amb l’estabilitat i la flexibilitat de la regió d’estudi, que apunten com a futures línies d’investigació a ampliar el temps d’estudi per recavar més dades, i a recomanar la prescripció d’aquests estiraments com a eina preventiva de patologies lumbo-pélviques en el món de l’handbol.

La presente tesis examina el proceso de adaptación psicológica en padres de niños con discapacidades congénitas. Para investigar el proceso de adaptación al estrés crónico de los padres se utilizó el Modelo de Personalidad de Millon (1990, 1994, 2004) y el modelo de afrontamiento al estrés de Folkman y Lazarus (1985). El estudio incluye 166 adultos, padres de niños con espina bífida severa o Mielomeningocele, Parálisis Cerebral y Fisura Labio-Velo-Palatina. Los resultados identifican estilos de personalidad, indicadores de la forma en que los padres responden y hacen frente a la discapacidad de un hijo, y sugieren un impacto diferencial en hombres y mujeres. Se discuten cuestiones derivadas de los condicionamientos género, así como la especial repercusión en la mujer. Finalmente, se sugiere un modelo de intervención interdisciplinar para una mejor adaptación de padres y madres a esta difícil experiencia vital. / This thesis analyzes the psychological adaptation of parents with children having congenital disabilities. Millon’s Personality Model (1990, 1994, 2004) and Lazarus and Folkman ‘s stress coping model , were used to investigate and analyze the process of adaptation of parents to chronic stress. The study included 166 adults, who were parents of children with severe spina bífida or Mielomeningocele, cerebral palsy, and cleft lip and cleft palate. The identified personality styles may serve as indicators of the way parents respond to and cope with a child's disability. The results also suggest that a child’s disability has a differential impact on men and women. Gender issues are evaluated, as well as any repercussions these may have on women. Finally, a model of interdisciplinary professional intervention for a better adaptation of fathers and mothers to this difficult life experience is suggested.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical applications of flavonoids (5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone, Sigma-Aldrich Quimica, S.L.) compared to other bone stimulator (N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, Sigma-Aldrich Quimica, S.L.) on new bone formation in post-extraction alveoli of American Fox Hound dogs after 30, 45 and 60 days. Materials and Methods: Nine American Fox Hound dogs were used in this study, extracting lower premolars (P2, P3 y P4) and first and second molar (M1, M2). Flavonoids impregnated membranes were applied at P2, M1 and M2 sites in left hemi-mandible. Another bone stimulator impregnated membranes were applied at P2, M1 and M2 sites in right hemi-mandible. Alveoli P3 and P4 sites were used as control sites using no biomaterials on them. Bone biopsies were taken at 30, 45 and 60 days and stained with hematoxylin-eosin and toluidine blue. Results: At 30 days a higher percentage of immature bone was observed in the control group (57.40 ± 2.30%) than in the flavonoids (33.18 ± 3.15 %) and the other stimulator group (22.9 ± 5.91%) with significant differences between the three groups (p<0.05). At 45 days, results were significantly better at bone stimulator sites (9.88 ± 1.42%) than flavonoids (18.87 ± 4.6%) and control sites (35.3 ± 1.23) (p<0.05). At 60 days immature bone percentages were similar for all groups. Conclusions: Topical applications of either 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone or N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine have a potential to accelerate bone tissue in early healing stages. It would be interesting to extend the number of tests, increasing the number of animals to confirm all these data. / El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicación tópica de flavonoides (5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone, Sigma-Aldrich Quimica, S.L.) comparado con otro estimulador óseo (N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, Sigma-Aldrich Quimica, S.L.) en la osteogénesis de alveolos post extracción de perros American Fox Hound después de 30, 45 y 60 días. Material y métodos: Nueve perros American Fox Hound fueron la fuente de este estudio, extrayéndoles los premolares inferiores (P2, P3 y P4) y el primer y segundo molar (M1 y M2). Se aplicaron membranas con flavonoides en P2, M1 y M2 en el lado izquierdo. Membranas con otro estimulador óseo fueron aplicadas en los alveolos P2, M1 y M2 del lado derecho. Los alveolos P3 y P4 fueron utilizados como control, cicatrizando sin biomaterial. Las biopsias de hueso fueron tomadas a los 30, 45 y 60 días y se tiñeron con hematoxilina-eosina y azul de toluidina. Resultados: A los 30 días, el grupo control presentó un porcentaje más elevado de hueso inmaduro (57.40 ± 2.30%) que en el grupo tratado con flavonoides (33.18 ± 3.15 %) y con otro estimulador óseo (22.9 ± 5.91%) con diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos (p<0.05). A los 45 días, los resultados fueron significativamente mejores en los alveolos tratados con otro estimulador óseo (9.88 ± 1.42%) comparado con los alveolos de flavonoides (18.87 ± 4.6%) y con el grupo control cicatrizado sin biomaterial (35.3 ± 1.23) (p<0.05). A los 60 días, la cantidad de hueso inmaduro fue prácticamente similar para todos los grupos. Conclusiones: La aplicación tópica, tanto de 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-benzopyrone como de N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, tiene la capacidad de acelerar la formación de hueso en los estadios tempranos de la cicatrización ósea. Sería interesante ampliar el número de estudios, incrementando el número de animales para confirmar todos estos datos.

In canine traumatology, one of the most common knee pathologies is torn cruciate ligament (ACL), the diagnosis and treatment costs were 1.32 billion dollars in the U.S. during 2003. The short-term effects are instability of the knee, osteoarthritis, meniscal injuries, pain and loss of function of the joint. The ACL acts as a joint stabilizer. Its function is to limit anterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur, internal tibia rotation and hyperextension of the knee. Treating ACL rupture has caused much controversy and difficulty for the veterinary surgeon because of the large number of techniques that exist, both intracapsular and extracapsular, as none of these surgical techniques definitively detains the progression of degenerative joint disease. Besides the classic techniques listed above, in recent years techniques to amend the biomechanics of the knee have been applied to repair ACL tear. There are studies that suggest better functionality in animals that have undergone these techniques, compared to conventional techniques, especially in the case of heavy animals. The technique of tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA), is aimed at amending the biomechanics of the knee to remove the anterior-posterior displacement of the tibia relative to the femur (drawer effect) in the knee after ACL rupture. In this thesis we work with the TTA device patented by Drs. Durall and Diaz-Bertrana. The drawer effect is simulated in the canine knee by experimental tests on 5 femoro-tibial joints in dog cadavers, applying tangential forces in anterior-posterior direction. The data required to compare the rigidity presented in an anatomically complete knee, one without ACL and one repaired applying Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Technique (TTA) is obtained. In all specimens that we tested, there was a significant loss of rigidity in the knee, the anterior displacement of the tibia, after removing the ACL. This loss of rigidity is around 78% of that of the complete anatomic knee. By applying this technique to repair the knee, TTA studied in this thesis, the rigidity is increased, doubling in value against the knee without ACL. If, with the TTA system the rigidity value of the healthy knee is not reached, this is offset by the modification of the anatomy of the joint. By changing the biomechanical behavior, the tangential component of cranial force in the joint declines or stops which produces the anterior drawer effect. From February 2011 to July 2013 at the veterinary clinic at UAB, 60 dogs with ACL tear underwent surgery using the TTA technique with this device. In 100% of cases animal lameness had disappeared and knee functionality had been recovered. / En traumatología canina, una de las patologías de rodilla más frecuentes es la rotura del ligamento cruzado anterior (LCA), cuyo coste en diagnóstico y tratamiento fue de 1,32 billones de dolares en EEUU durante el año 2003. Los efectos a corto plazo son la inestabilidad de la rodilla, osteoartritis, lesiones meniscales, dolor y pérdida de funcionalidad de la articulación. El LCA actúa como estabilizador de la articulación. Su función es limitar el desplazamiento anterior de la tibia con respecto al fémur, la rotación interna de la tibia y la hiperextensión de la rodilla. El tratamiento de la rotura del LCA ha presentado gran controversia y dificultad para el cirujano veterinario debido al gran número de técnicas que existen tanto intracapsulares como extracapsulares ya que ninguna de estas técnicas quirúrgicas detiene de forma segura la progresión de la enfermedad articular degenerativa. Además de las técnicas clásicas nombradas anteriormente, en los últimos años se están aplicando técnicas de modificación de la biomecánica de la rodilla para la reparación de rotura de LCA. Hay estudios que apuntan una mejor funcionalidad de la rodilla en animales intervenidos con estas técnicas, en comparación con las técnicas clásicas, sobretodo en el caso de animales de elevado peso. La técnica de avance de la tuberosidad tibial (TTA), tiene por objeto modificar la biomecánica de la rodilla con el fin de eliminar el desplazamiento anteroposterior de la tibia respecto al fémur (efecto cajón) en la rodilla, tras la rotura del LCA. En esta tesis se trabaja con el dispositivo TTA patentado por los Drs.Durall y Díaz‐Bertrana. Se simula el efecto cajón en la rodilla canina mediante ensayos experimentales en 5 articulaciones femoro‐tibiales de perro cadáver al aplicar en la articulación fuerzas tangenciales en sentido antero‐posterior. Se obtienen los registros y datos suficientes para comparar la rigidez que presenta una rodilla anatómica completa a la de la misma rodilla sin el LCA y al repararla aplicando la técnica de avance de la tuberosidad tibial (TTA). En todos los especímenes que hemos ensayado, se produce una pérdida importante de rigidez en la rodilla, al desplazamiento anterior de la tibia, tras eliminar el LCA. Esta pérdida de rigidez es del orden del 78% de la rigidez de la rodilla anatómica completa. Al aplicar la técnica de reparación de la rodilla, TTA estudiada en esta tesis, la rigidez se incrementa, duplicando su valor respecto a la rodilla sin el LCA. Si bien con el sistema TTA no se logra alcanzar el valor de la rigidez de la rodilla sana, ello se compensa con la modificación de la anatomía de la articulación. Al cambiar el comportamiento biomecánico, disminuye o se anula la componente tangencial en sentido craneal de la fuerza en la articulación, que es la que produce el efecto de cajón anterior. Desde febrero de 2011 hasta julio de 2013 han sido intervenidos en la clínica veterinaria de la UAB, 60 perros con RLCA aplicando la técnica TTA con este dispositivo. En el 100% de los casos ha desaparecido la cojera del animal y se ha recuperado la funcionalidad de la rodilla.

The knee joint is the largest and most complex both in humans and in canines. The internal forces that govern it, are not known exactly. Canine knee injuries are recurrent, especially in the anterior cruciate ligament, a disease that has become the focus of numerous research groups in the past 20 years and the development of dozens of techniques and methods of treatment within the veterinary community. This thesis was created to explore the biomechanics that govern the behavior of canine knee forces, in particular, to analyze the forces that cause the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) with a theoretical model. Moreover, experimental tests were carried out in vitro, the results of which will be contrasted with the model. First, the theoretical framework of biomechanics in the canine knee during the stance phase of the dog gait is reviewed and we propose a static biomechanical model of joint forces, to know the magnitude and direction of these. The second phase of the thesis is experimental. On one hand, it analyzes the effects of the forces that cause ACL rupture on the canine knee. On the other, it analyzes the effectiveness of the most common techniques for the correction of the disease, Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA). This is one of the techniques based on changing the biomechanics of the knee and is one of the most widespread. But despite its success, the technique doesn¿t stabilize the knee completely. The study of joint forces before and after the application of the technique is not yet clear, so there are uncontrolled variables that could adversely affect the proper function of the knee, hence the importance of analyzing the technique from two approaches: the theoretical and the experimental. Hypotheses emerging from the model, focus on the effects on the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and Patellar Tendon (PT). It is believed that the PCL is a secondary stabilizer that takes on a leading role when the main stabilizer breaks and when the TTA technique is applied. For this reason it is possible that the PCL is overloaded after the intervention of the TTA and may affect long-term knee function. Furthermore, there is little information on the behavior of the Patellar Tendon (PT). It is based on the hypothesis that the tendon works more at higher femorotibial joint flexion angles, and the TTA technique tends to transfer less load. To verify the hypotheses in vitro experiments are carried out on canine limbs with healthy knees, knees with ACL excision and knees repaired by the TTA technique. During the tests shear forces are applied (one of the main causes of ACL injury) and the behavior of the LCP and the PT is collected. We measure the elongation of the posterior cruciate ligament and the strength of the quadriceps tendon (which, through a correlation factor, will transform into the strength of the Patellar Tendon). The measuring devices for the ligament and the tendon are based on the electric extensiometry technique, one of the more accurate experimental techniques to analyze stress and strain and widely used in engineering. The experimental results of this thesis are favorable compared with the biomechanical model hypothesis. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was found to be overloaded after the application of TTA. The Patellar tendon was found to be slightly distended after the application of TTA, and the force increased with the angle of knee flexion. / El genoll és l’articulació més gran i complexa tan en humans com en canins. Les forces internes que el governen no és coneixen amb exactitud. Les lesions dins aquesta articulació en gossos són recurrents, sobre tot, sobre el lligament creuat anterior, afecció que ha esdevingut el centre d’atenció de nombrosos grups d’investigació en els últims 20 anys i el desenvolupament de desenes de tècniques i mètodes de tractament dins la comunitat veterinària. Aquesta tesi neix per explorar la biomecànica que regeix el comportament de les forces al genoll caní, en particular, analitzar les forces causants de la ruptura de lligament creuat anterior (LCA) mitjançant un model teòric. Per altra banda, realitzarà assajos experimentals in-vitro, els resultats dels quals es contrastaran amb el model. Primerament es revisa el marc teòric sobre la biomecànica en el genoll caní durant la fase de càrrega de la marxa del gos i es proposa un model biomecànic estàtic de les forces articulars, per conèixer la magnitud i direcció d’aquestes. La segona fase de la tesi és experimental. Per una banda, analitza els efectes de les forces causants del trencament del LCA sobre el genoll caní sa i patològic. Per altra, analitza l’eficàcia d’una de les tècniques més esteses per a la correcció de la patologia, la Tècnica d’Avanç de la Tuberositat Tibial (TTA, sigles en anglès de “Tibial Tuberosity Advancement”). Es tracta d’una de les tècniques basades en modificar la biomecànica del genoll produint una correcció dinàmica de forces i és una de les més esteses. Però a pesar del seu èxit, no aconsegueix una estabilitat igual a la situació anterior a la lesió del LCA. L’estudi de forces de l’articulació abans i després de l’aplicació de la tècnica encara no està clar, pel que hi ha variables incontrolades que podrien afectar negativament la correcta funció del genoll, per això la importància d’analitzar la tècnica des de dos enfocs: el teòric i l’experimental. Del model sorgeixen les hipòtesis de partida prèvies a l’experimentació. Aquestes es centren en els efectes que pateix el lligament creuat posterior (LCP) i el tendó patel·lar (TP). Es creu que el LCP és un estabilitzador secundari que passa a tenir un rol protagonista quan es trenca l’estabilitzador principal i quan s’aplica la tècnica de la TTA. Per tan, és possible que el LCP es trobi sobre carregat després de la intervenció de la TTA, podent afectar al llarg termini la correcta funció del genoll. Per altra banda, hi ha poca informació sobre el comportament del tendó patel·lar. Es parteix de les hipòtesis que treballa més a majors angles de flexió de l’articulació femorotibial, i que amb la tècnica de la TTA tendeix a descarregar-se. Per verificar les hipòtesis es du a terme l’experimentació in vitro amb extremitats canines amb genolls sans, genolls amb escissió de LCA, i genolls amb reparació per la tècnica de la TTA. Durant els assajos s’apliquen forces tallants (una de les principals causes de la lesió del LCA) i es recullen les tendències de comportament del LCP i el TP. Es mesurarà l’elongació del lligament creuat posterior i la força del tendó del quàdriceps (la qual, a través d’un factor de correlació, es transformarà en força del tendó patel·lar). Els dispositius de mesura sobre el lligament i el tendó estan basats en l’extensiometria elèctrica, una de les tècniques experimentals d’anàlisi de tensions i deformacions més precises i àmpliament usades en el camp de l’enginyeria, capaç de mesurar deformacions de l’ordre de les micres in-situ i en temps real. Els resultats experimentals de la tesi s’han contrastat amb les hipòtesis del model biomecànic favorablement. El lligament creuat posterior (LCP) s’ha trobat que després d’aplicació de la tècnica de reparació de la TTA es troba sobre carregat. Del tendó patel·lar s’ha trobat que es descarrega lleugerament amb la tècnica de la TTA, i augmenta la força amb l’angle de flexió del genoll.

This research project examined the role of environmental time cues and circadian rhythms in mediating seasonal adjustments in the body temperature and locomotoractivity patterns in the Australian sleepy lizard, Tiliqua rugosa (Gray 1827). The first component of this study investigated whether daily rhythms of behavioural thermoregulation and locomotor activity that T. rugosa displays in the field are endogenous circadian rhythms. In each season, there was significant variation in each of these rhythms in lizards released on laboratory thermal gradients under prevailing light-dark (LD) cycles. Both rhythms persisted when lizards were released in constant darkness (DD) and exhibited the same free-running period suggesting a single circadian pacemaker drives both rhythms. The first component of this study revealed that seasonal changes in the expression of daily behavioural thermoregulatory and locomotor activity rhythms are mediated by the circadian system in T. rugosa. The second component of this project comprised three experiments that determined the relative importance of 24 h LD and temperature cycles (TCs) in entraining the locomotor activity rhythm. In the first experiment, lizards were held under LD 12:12 and were subjected to either a TC of 33:15C in phase with the LD cycle or a reversed TC. Following LD 12:12, lizards were maintained under the same TCs but were subjected to DD. Activity was restricted to the thermophase in LD irrespective of the lighting regime and during the period of DD that followed, suggesting entrainment by the TC. In the second experiment, lizards were held under LD 12.5:11.5 and were subjected to one of three treatments; (1) constant 30C, (2) normal TC (30:20C), or (3) reversed TC. Following LD, all lizards were subjected to DD and constant 30C. Post-entrainment free-run records revealed that LD cycles and TCs both entrain locomotor activity rhythms of T. rugosa. Although there was large variation in the phasing of the rhythm in relation to the LD cycle in reversed TC lizards, TCs presented in phase with the LD cycle most accurately synchronised the rhythm to the photocycle. In the third experiment, lizards were held in DD at constant 30C before being subjected to a further period of DD and one of four treatments; (1) normal TC (06:00 h to 18:00 h thermophase), (2) delayed TC (12:00 h to 00:00 h thermophase), (3) advanced TC (00:00 h to 12:00 h thermophase) or (4) control (no TC, constant 30C). While control lizards continued to free-run in DD at constant temperature, locomotor rhythms of lizards subjected to TCs rapidly entrained to TCs irrespective of whether TCs were phase advanced or delayed by 6 h. The results of this experiment excluded the possibility that masking effects were responsible for locomotor responses of lizards to TCs. This study demonstrated that seasonal changes in the expression of this species‟ daily behavioural thermoregulatory and locomotor rhythms are mediated by a circadian system that is sensitive to both light and temperature. The sensitivity of the circadian system to temperature, in particular, may allow T. rugosa to restrict its activity to times of the year that are thermally favourable. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1521959 / Thesis(Ph.D.)-- University of Adelaide, School of Medical Sciences, 2010